Physician migration to the U.S.--foreign aid for U.S. manpower

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Health Workforce Studies
• International Medical Migration

Background:

• In 1972, significant numbers of Iranian physicians practiced in the United States.
• A smaller proportion of Iranian physicians had received their training in the U.S.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the return migration patterns of U.S.-trained Iranian physicians to Iran.
• To compare physician manpower challenges in Iran and the U.S.

Main Methods:

• Data compiled from the American Medical Association for Iranian physicians in the U.S.
• Data compiled from the Iranian Medical Registry for U.S.-trained physicians returning to Iran.

Main Results:

• In 1972, 2,066 Iranian physicians were in the U.S., with 60% not in training.
• Only 600 of Iran's 9,535 physicians in 1972 were U.S.-trained.
• The highest return rate was observed in surgical subspecialties; the lowest was in pathology, anesthesiology, and psychiatry.

Conclusions:

• Less than one-third of U.S.-trained Iranian specialists returned to practice in Iran.
• Significant differences exist in return migration rates across medical specialties.
• The study highlights distinct physician workforce issues in both Iran and the U.S.